The MA in Translation Studies / MA i Staidéar an Aistriúcháin at Dublin City University is a one-year, full-time or a two year part-time programme which provides advanced linguistic and technical training, leading to a postgraduate qualification in Translation Studies.

Dublin City University is the only Irish university offering a comprehensive postgraduate programme in Translation Studies, with a wide range of modules in Translation Technology, Audiovisual Translation, Translation as a Profession and Translation Practice in one or two of French, German, Irish, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. Translation is into English except for students taking Irish who work into Irish.

The MA in Translation Studies at DCU is a member of the European Masters in Translation (EMT) Network established by the Directorate-General for Translation at the European Commission. This has established the MA programme as one of the most prestigious in Europe. DCU is the only University on the island of Ireland to host programmes admitted to the EMT. For more information see: https://ec.europa.eu/info/european-masters-translation-emt_en

Lecturers on the MA in Translation Studies at Dublin City University are internationally recognised scholars in the field of Translation Studies, many of whom have extensive connections with the translation profession and the translation industry.

The fees payable in September 2016 were 6,750 euro for EU citizens and 13,700 euro for non-EU citizens.

Irish language scholarships

DCU may award full or half scholarships to applicants studying Irish in 2017, based on the quality of MTS applications received. Successful candidates will be notified in August 2017.

Under the Higher Education Authority /Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Irish Advanced Skills Initiative, all postgraduate candidates wishing to study Irish translation at designated centres around the country are now required to sit the TEG B2 exam before being accepted onto programmes. TEG B2 exams have been scheduled for 1 April 2017 and 12 August 2017 with respective application deadlines of 1 April and 28 July. For more detailed information see http://www.teg.ie/maidir-le-scr%C3%BAduithe/teg-riachtanais-ollscoile-.483.html.

DCU will reimburse the TEG cost in full in 2017, provided applicants pass the exam and then come on board the MTS programme to study Irish translation.

Those who fail to take the TEG B2 exam in time and are accepted onto the MTS are required to sit the TEG exam at the first available opportunity thereafter. Students of Irish will be required to pass TEG C1 before completing their studies in 2018.

Click here to view our online video where graduate John Kelly, who studied Irish and French, talks about the course: https://youtu.be/ayVhKNpscNM

Programme

The MA in Translation Studies:

Develops a range of professional and linguistic skills appropriate to the translation profession

Provides practical training in the translation of a range of specialised texts

Equips students with the technological tools and skills required in the profession in the twenty-first century

Introduces students to contemporary theoretical issues in Translation Studies.

Students on the MA in Translation Studies take core modules Translation Technology, Computerised Terminology, Translation Theory and Research Methodologies along with translation modules where they work into English (except for Irish where students work into Irish). Optional modules may include Scientific/Technical Translation, Localisation, Community Interpreting, Translation as a Profession, EU Institutions Study Trip, Digital Methods in Language and Discourse.

Students write a dissertation over the course of the summer months. Alternatively, they can participate in a three-month work placement in Ireland or abroad.

Why DCU

We are the only Irish university to offer a comprehensive postgraduate programme in Translation Studies.

Our programme is well-established and belongs to the prestigious European Masters in Translation (EMT) network initiated by the European Commission in order to promote a quality brand of translator qualifications.

Our programme combines a firm grounding in the academic discipline of Translation Studies with a strong practical and professional dimension.

We work closely with professional bodies (e.g. Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association), international organisations (e.g. EU) and the translation industry to deliver a programme that prepares graduates to work as translators.

We provide an excellent research environment with internationally recognised scholars in the field of Translation Studies.

Our students are recruited by high-profile European public institutions as well as private multinational organisations.

Students are also able to pursue further study in the field through the internationally recognised Centre for Translation and Textual Studies (CTTS), DCU's University Designated Research Centre, which provides a stimulating research environment. https://cttsdcu.wordpress.com/

Careers

The technology and translation skills taught on this course are an essential part of practising as a translator, and they improve employability, both within large organisations and as a freelance translator

Many graduates from the MA in Translation Studies become professional translators, working on a freelance basis for agencies or in the translation departments of large companies.

Graduates may also be eligible for the competitive examinations leading to employment in the Translation Divisions of the Institutions of the European Union or other international organisations.

Some graduates follow careers in related fields such as publishing, broadcasting or IT where they may take up positions as technical writers, terminologists or lexicographers, subtitlers or software localisers.

Others opt for careers in the public service, in teaching, at secondary or tertiary level, or undertake research.

Some graduates may wish to continue their studies to doctoral level at DCU or elsewhere. For more information on continuing research in the area of Translation Studies see Research in the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies (SALIS): https://www.dcu.ie/salis/research.shtml

Requirements

General Entry Requirements

Applications are invited from graduates normally with at least a Second Class Honours degree in any one (for the one-language route) or two (for the two-language route) of the following language(s): Irish, Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Spanish.

In addition, applicants should preferably have spent a total of at least 12 months per language in a country/countries where the language(s) they wish to study are spoken.

Consideration will be given to other subject specialists with appropriate linguistic competence.

Non-native speakers should have a degree in English or advanced English skills (e.g. IELTS 7.0 points, Cambridge Proficiency Pass or TOEFL 600/250 points). Applicants may be called for interview, and their levels of English tested.

Applicants may be called for interview and a translation test or examined online.

The following RPeL (Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning) policy applies to the MA in Translation Studies:

Applicants who do not meet our entry requirements of a Second Class Honours Degree in one or two languages must provide evidence that they have gained significant work experience in translation or a related field (localisation, journalism, etc.), and that they have extensive knowledge of their chosen source and target language and cultures.

Applicants must provide evidence that they have achieved level C1 or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages for their chosen language.

How to Apply and Closing Dates

Make an Application

Application Process

Applicants are requested to include a personal statement of no longer then one A4 page, to explain their motivation for applying for the programme, with any relevant information which will indicate their commitment to the proposed course of study. Please also indicate the information regarding one-language or two-language track and in which language(s).

Dates for Submission of Applications

EU Applicants

Applicants may apply online through the Postgraduate Application Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) by 25th August 2017.

Non-EU Applicants

Applicants may apply online through the Postgraduate Application Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) 10th July 2017. Applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of gaining entry into Ireland are advised to apply as early as possible.

Applications will normally be considered within three weeks of receipt by DCU of the full application (including all supporting documentation). Applicants are thus encouraged to apply early for an early decision.

When applying online for M.A. in Translation Studies use PAC code DC615 for Full Time Programme and DC738 for Part Time Programme.